Los Angeles’ LGBTQ+ Legacy
Explore LGBTQ+ places that help tell stories about the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and safe places for queer people in L.A.
Barney's Beanery by Laura Dominguez/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Barney's Beanery
As an eatery and celebrity hangout, Barney’s Beanery has become a cultural icon in West Hollywood.
Barney's Beanery patio by Laura Dominguez/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
During the struggle for gay liberation in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Barney’s Beanery (or rather a sign it posted) ignited a picketed protest that lasted several months.
Circus of Books, streetview by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Circus of Books
For over thirty years, Circus of Books has been a staple of the West Hollywood LGBTQ community, particularly gay men.
Circus of Books by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
The bookstore is an important community anchor in West Hollywood and reflects the evolution of gay literature and erotica in Greater Los Angeles.
The Black Cat by Laura Dominguez/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Black Cat
Two years before the Stonewall Riots, The Black Cat became the site of one of the largest documented LGBTQ civil rights demonstrations in the nation. Hundreds gathered outside of the bar in peaceful protest of police brutality and discriminatory laws and procedures.
Jewel's Catch One mural by Sana Ahmed/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Jewel's Catch One
Founded in 1973, Jewel's Catch One is widely believed to be the first large-scale discotheque in the United States to serve and operate within the black LGBTQ community.
Jewel's Catch One sign by Sana Ahmed/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Jewel Thais-Williams owned and operated the club from its founding until its closure in July 2015.
The Factory by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
The Factory
The 1929 Factory building represents significant historical patterns of development in West Hollywood, from the rise of the entertainment industry to the rise of gay nightlife. In 1967, the building operated as an invitation-only nightclub, a favorite among Hollywood celebrities.
In 1972, the building was transformed into Studio One, an exuberant dance club for West Hollywood’s gay community. Studio One did not openly embrace diverse queer people, giving rise to establishments like Jewel's Catch One, which openly welcomed and fostered a diverse clientele.
Christopher Street West/L.A. Pride Parade
Founded in 1970, Christopher Street West Association, Inc. is a nonprofit service organization within the LGBTQ community. The organization was responsible for organizing the world's first permitted LGBTQ pride parade, which took place in Los Angeles.
Arzner-Morgan Residence by Laura Dominguez/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
Arzner-Morgan Residence
Dorothy Arzner was one of the most successful and openly queer women in early Hollywood. Arzner eventually rose through the ranks to become a highly regarded editor. In 1936, Arzner became the first woman to join the Directors Guild of America.
Samuel-Novarro Residence
During the 1930s, gay silent film star Ramon Novarro lived in this dramatic Lloyd Wright-designed hillside residence. Located in Los Feliz, the Samuel-Novarro Residence was designed by master architect Lloyd Wright for Hollywood manager Louis Samuel and his wife in 1928.
Metropolitan Community Church
The Metropolitan Community Church provided LGBTQ Christians and other religious groups with a safe and inclusive place for worship. Founded by Reverend Troy Perry in 1968, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) is the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ ministry in the world.
Our work to recognize LGBTQ+ heritage is part of a wider effort to celebrate the places, people and events that together convey our Los Angeles' rich cultural heritage. Learn more about L.A.'s LGBTQ+ Heritage here.
Written by Camille Elston. Camille is the Preservation Coordinator with the Los Angeles Conservancy.
